About Joan Marie Galat
Every day brings new writing experiences. I’m never bored!
I write for both children and adult audiences. My specialty is plain language writing, and making complicated topics accessible.
Writing for children is a passion, perhaps because I enjoyed reading so much while growing up. Now I write the kinds of books that first intrigued me, as well as titles that reflect my current interests. A literacy advocate and science communicator, I enjoy writing about the natural world and other STEM topics, as well as books that share the stories of interesting people. When not writing, I’m usually delivering presentations or workshops on writing, storytelling, or public speaking. You’ll find all the details in my biography, below.
As a freelance writer and editor, I get to explore a wide variety of subjects. Some days find me editing corporate documents or writing emcee notes for clients. One of my specialties is plain language writing, and I enjoy turning information into content that can be enjoyed by wider audiences. I embrace every new topic, and am never bored. You can learn more about my freelance work through MoonDot Media.
School Visits – Training – Events
Ask about school visits, family literacy talks, writing workshops, keynotes, professional development and corporate training, night sky events, and storytelling sessions.
The “Star-Lady”
Some call me the star-lady because of my astronomy books, and interest in everything outer space. I enjoy showing others how to find their way around the northern hemisphere night sky.
School visits and speaking engagements have taken me from coast to coast to coast in Canada, and to international locations. Here are some kind words from audience members and hosts.
What People are Saying About My Talks
Joan is a natural, enthusiastic speaker, using her voice/gestures so effectively to augment the wonderful stories and interesting information. I was pleased to see how engaged her audiences were—people from small children to seniors. What a gift!
Library presentations.
Kate Thomson
Manitoulin Island, Ontario
Many of our communities in Northern Alberta are small rural settings and when an author is brought in every student in the school attends. Joan frequently presented to a mixed age-range simultaneously. At one school, 80 students from K-6 were hosted together, and in the case of the home educators association, 35 grade 1-9 students were in the same group. She managed both opportunities effectively, spreading her attention and interaction across the audience. One public library invited two schools that together packed in 75 grade six students. Joan kept their rapt attention for the hour. Joan also presented well to the younger audiences of K-4, and one young student commented afterwards, “That was a good one.” A librarian made this unsolicited, glowing remark, “I had the most favourable response that I have ever got from any author visit. The teachers raved about her. Thank-you for bringing her.” A grade eight student later exclaimed “That was an hour?! That sure didn’t feel like a whole hour!” Such is the power of fascinating subjects and a good presenter
Author visits at schools and libraries.
K. Wiebe
Peace Library System, Alberta.
Thank you so much for your awesome presentation, your story telling kept us focused for an unbelievable hour. I appreciate how you kept our division one students so engaged and our children with special needs were with you all the way. You have a wonderful way of introducing us to the stories of the sky, and we are motivated to continue reading more. Thank you again.
Elementary school author visit.
Kathie Crosby, Grade 3/4 Teacher
Lendrum School, Edmonton
You inspired us to write!
Virtual presentation.
St. Charles Parish
Writer’s Camp, Louisiana
What People Are Saying About My Books
Kirkus Reviews
“A hands-on, practical, wide-ranging, and information-packed handbook for budding activists.”
Review For
Make Your Mark, Make A Difference
CM Magazine
“Galat has written a story with an extremely loveable nar-rat-tor, a character readers will remember for a long tome to come.” Highly Recommended.
Review For
Mortimer: Rat Race To Space
David Saint-Jacques, Canadian Astronaut
David Saint-Jacques, Canadian Astronaut
“I remember as a child being amazed at the sight of my first real night sky, undiluted by man-made light! The exhilarating beauty, complexity and infinity of the Universe, right there before my eyes. But, as Joan Marie Galat explains in this book [Dark Matters, Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution], there is more to light pollution than its effect on star-gazing… the whole world needs dark skies!”
From the back cover of
DARK MATTERS: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution
Chris Hadfield, Canadian Astronaut
“Looking up at the Moon has inspired explorers and dreamers for eons, floating as a beacon of endless mystery. It lured me into space. The largest Dot in the night sky is the Moon, and its facts and mysteries are beautifully connected in Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Moon.”
From the back cover of
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Moon
Dr. Dave Williams, Canadian Astronaut
Having watched the aurora from space, I’ve known the unique thrill of seeing the lights swirl over the planet. Joan Marie Galat captures the science and remarkable folklore of the aurora in Stories of the Aurora, an inspirational collection of tales that makes the reader want to experience their beauty first hand.
From the back cover of
Dot To Dot In The Sky, Stories Of The Aurora
Roberta Bondar, scientist, physician, astronaut, photographer
As a Sagittarian, was I predestined to coach university archery and to be launched like an arrow into the sky? Mythology and astronomy will always connect ancient lives to ours and Dot to Dot in the Sky (Stories of the Zodiac) is a remarkable story of how and why.
From the back cover of
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Zodiac
The Details
BIOGRAPHY – Joan Marie Galat
Although she started making books at the age of nine, Joan Marie Galat wasn’t published until 12 years old, when she became a paid weekly newspaper columnist. Today she is the award-winning author of more than 30 books, with translations in eight languages. Her titles include Make Your Mark, Make a Difference (Aladdin/Beyond Words), Mortimer: Rat Race to Space (DCB), Absolute Expert: Space (National Geographic Kids), Wildlife Crossing: Giving Animals the Right of Way (Orca Book Publishers), and Stars (Scholastic USA).
Joan shares her love of the stars in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series which combines the science of the night sky with the ancient myths that give constellations and planets their names. The first title in the series—Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars—became a best seller within six weeks of its release. Joan’s books for children also explore activism, human rights, light pollution, ecology, nature, wildlife, engineering, history, and other topics. She writes both fiction and non-fiction, often with a focus on one or more STEM topics (science, technology, engineering, and math). Titles for adults include a travel guide and motivational book.
A prolific writer and relentless promoter of reading, Joan loves to use storytelling to connect with audiences. Speaking engagements have taken Joan across Canada, as well as to international events such as the United Nations Environment Programme in Seoul, South Korea; the Starlight Conference in Tekapo, New Zealand; the International Dark-Sky Conference in Snowbird, USA; and an international book fair in Seoul. In Australia, Joan spoke to child, family, and adult audiences about light pollution and the night sky. Closer to home, she has been part of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival and toured schools and libraries across Canada. Joan was recognized with the Edmonton Artists Trust Fund award in 2024, and she is a recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, awarded annually to one member (worldwide) of the USA based Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Joan operates MoonDot Media, a communications business offering writing and editing solutions in broadcast, print, and multi-media. Freelance jobs have encompassed writing radio and video scripts, a cartoon, magazine articles, exhibit text, speechwriting, grant applications, annual reports, and other projects. She also provides custom corporate training, as well as consults for writers on query letters, manuscripts, and the submission process.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
– Joan is a 2024 recipient of the Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF) award, which recognizes an artist’s work and contribution to the community.
Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the Planet
– Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
– Best New Books for Missouri Students, Middle School, 2024
Mortimer: Rat Race to Space
– Shortlisted for the 2023/24 Red Cedar Book Award
– Silver medal, 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards (Connections eMagazine)
Solve This! Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius Engineer in You
– Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Clouds
Weather Science and Mythology from Around the World
– Skipping Stones Award in the Nature/Ecology category, 2019
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Aurora
– Winner, Crystal Kite Award—Canada, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, 2017
– Skipping Stones Award, 2017
– National Communications Award, Outdoor Writers of Canada, Second Place Book, 2017
– Honorable Mention, Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award, 2017
– Shortlisted for the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award in Atlantic Canada, 2017/18
– Shortlisted for the Red Cedar Children’s Choice Book Award in British Columbia, 2017/18
Dark Matters – Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution
– Finalist: Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award, 2018
– Bronze Moonbeam Award – Nonfiction Chapter Book, 2018
Branching Out – How Trees are Part of Our World
– Santa Monica Public Library Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, 2015
– Honorable Mention (shortlisted), Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award, 2014
– Included on Distinguished Books by the Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern
California, 2014
– The Year’s Best Nonfiction Book List (Preschool – Grade 6), Resource Links Magazine, 2014
– Starred review, Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books Spring Edition, 2015
The Discovery of Longitude
– R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature,Writers Guild of Alberta, 2013
– Silver Moonbeam Award, Nonfiction Picture Book, 2013
Day Trips from Edmonton
– 4 weeks – Edmonton Journal bestseller list, 2013, 2014
– 6 weeks – Edmonton Journal bestseller list, including one week as #1, 2009
– #3 on Amazon List: Edmonton Travel Guides
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Zodiac
– Gold Moonbeam Award (science/activity category), 2008
– Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award, 2007
– Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award nomination, 2010
– Semi-finalist Calgary Public Library Foundation Literary Awards
– Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids/Teens
– Edmonton Public School Board recommended title
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Moon
– R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature,Writers Guild of Alberta, 2005
– Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” selection
– Edmonton Public School Board recommended title
– Recommended—Science: Core Learning Resources, Grade 6
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Planets
– Shortlisted for Rocky Mountain Book Award, 2004
– Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” selection
– Edmonton Public School Board recommended title
– Recommended—Science: Core Learning Resources, Grade 6
Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Stars
– Canadian National Bestseller
– Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Our Choice” selection
– Edmonton Public School Board recommended title
Additional Recognition
– Recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, which is awarded to one worldwide member of the Society
of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), 2018
– Multi-Media Society Award, 1988
– CFWE Radio Award, 1987
TRANSLATIONS of BOOKS BY JOAN MARIE GALAT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books For Children
– Wildlife Crossing: Giving Animals the Right of Way (Orca Book Publishers)
– Make Your Mark, Make a Difference: A Kid’s Guide to Standing Up for People, Animals, and the
Planet (Aladdin/Beyond Words)
– Too Much Trash: How Litter is Hurting Animals (Orca Book Publishers)
– Mortimer: Rat Race to Space (DCB)
– Solve This! Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius Engineer in You (National Geographic Kids)
– Dark Matters: Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution (Red Deer Press)
– Branching Out: How Trees are part of Our World (Owlkids)
– Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Clouds: Weather, science, and mythology from around the world (Whitecap Books)
– Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Aurora (Whitecap Books)
– Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Zodiac (Whitecap Books)
– Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Moon (Whitecap Books)
– Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Planets (Whitecap Books)
– Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars (Whitecap Books)
– The Discovery of Longitude (Pelican Publishing Company)
– Cats (National Geographic Kids)
– Erupt! 100 Fun Facts About Volcanoes (National Geographic Kids)
– Black Holes and Supernovas (Capstone Press)
– The Story of Malala Yousafzai (Rockridge Press)
– Dr. Bufflehead Explores Energy (Scholastic Canada)
– Dr. Bufflehead Explores Dirt (Scholastic Canada)
– Be a maker! Maker Projects for Kids Who Love Printmaking (Crabtree Publishing Company)
– Cultural Traditions in Ghana (Crabtree Publishing Company)
– Cultural Traditions in Turkey (Crabtree Publishing Company)
– Ducks All Around (Poodle Doodle Press)
– Can You Guess? (Poodle Doodle Press)
– Look, Touch, Smell (Poodle Doodle Press)
– Who Is It? (Poodle Doodle Press)
– Where Is It? (Poodle Doodle Press)
– My Corner of the Globe (Parkland Conservation Farm)
Audio Books
– Mortimer: Rat Race to Space (Tantor Media)
– The Story of Malala Yousafzai: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers (Callisto Publishing)
Books For Adults
– Day Trips From Edmonton (Whitecap Books)
– Give Yourself a Pep Talk (Pelican Publishing Company)